Benelux
From MyVacationsTo
Benelux is an economic union in Western Europe comprising three neighbouring monarchies, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The name is formed from the beginning of each country's name. It is a precursor of the European (Economic) Union and as such, borders here have been 'open' for many more years than in the rest of the EU.
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[edit] Understand
Luxembourg and the East of Belgium is a hilly area.
The rest of the area is what is known as the The Low Countries; this is the delta of the rivers Scheldt, Meuse, Rhine and Ems. Originally swamp land, enterprising fishermen discovered a flair for trade when trading routes started to emerge between the grain markets of the Baltic Sea and the renaissance-bitten luxury goods markets of northern Italy. Here is where stocks were invented.
This attention to trade made Bruges one of the largest cities in Europe in its day, and the mediaeval town is still well preserved. When the secession war with Spain progressed, French and Flemish alike fled to Amsterdam, which became the new world capital of trade, which is still witnessed in the many 'Houses of the Lords' lining the famous canals.
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Much of the swamp land in the Low Countries has been reclaimed, resulting in some of the largest water works in the world, and in other attractions such as the wind mills of the Kinderdijk in Noord-Holland. Much has not been reclaimed, resulting in interesting biotopes, such as the Zwin on the coast of Belgium and the area around the Waddenzee in the North of the Netherlands.
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- You will find white-water canoeing in Luxembourg and the East of Belgium.
- There are some excellent golf courses in Luxembourg and the East of Belgium.
- Rent a "bike" and explore Amsterdam.
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[edit] Drink
- Try the famous Belgian brewed beers!